"Oh, you let him pull the wool over your eyes." There was a sneer in his voice. "I tell you there was neither logic nor reason in what he said. No logical conclusions can be drawn from false premises; no assertions can stand unsupported by proof."
"What did he assert that he did not prove?" asked Abner.
"You evade my question by asking another."
"Precisely the same plan Mr. Lincoln adopted," replied Oleah.
"You are prejudiced against Mr. Lincoln, Oleah. Now, tell me what he said that any fair-minded man in the world can not agree to?"
"He said that slavery should not wither and blight another inch of territory if he could help it."
"What objection can even a believer in slavery have to that? We have an immense scope of country where slavery is permitted; then why extend it to Territories where it is unpopular?"
"But can you not see what lies in the background?" said Oleah, bitterly. "Mr. Lincoln lifted the curtain high enough for one who was not blinded by his eloquence to see what was behind it. I would not fear to wager everything I own that Mr. Lincoln, if elected, will set free every slave in the United States, before he has been in the presidential chair a twelvemonth."
"Did he not say that such emancipation would be unwise policy?"
"He said so, but his tone and manner belied his words."
"Confess now, Oleah, that you are a little prejudiced against Mr. Lincoln," said the father, good-humoredly.
"You may call it prejudice or what you like, father," Oleah answered, his flushed face showing how deep was his feeling; "but if Mr. Lincoln is elected you will not have a nigger when his term is over, if he should be permitted to take his seat."
"Why, my son, you can't think he would not be permitted to take his seat?"
"That is a question, father. Each State has its rights. Southern people have rights, and rather than be cheated of them they may resort to force."
"Now, Oleah," said Abner, "you don't for a moment suppose that if Mr. Lincoln should be chosen President by the voters of the United States, that any considerable body of intelligent people could be found who would be unfair enough, or foolhardy enough, to attempt to prevent him from taking his seat?"
"I certainly do," answered Oleah, with an air of conviction.